The Chicago Cubs lost some of their steam this week by losing the last 2 games in San Francisco. Now they move down the California coast to face Clayton Kershaw and the Dodgers. The Cubbies only scored 3 runs in the final two games of the San Fran series after winning the first game 8-5. Despite their 73-53 record, the Cubs are actually near last in the league with a .241 batting average. They do have a lot of home runs to make up for the lack of hitting and a very good pitching staff. The Cubs are still comfortably in the Wild Card for now. Jason Hammel will go for Chicago tonight. Overall he’s been pretty good, but he has been up and down. He won his last start against Atlanta, but was shelled in his previous start against the Tigers.

The Dodgers return home after an 8-game road trip in which they lost their first 5 and won the last 3 including a nail-biting 1-0 win yesterday in Cincinnati. They get the Cubs this weekend then the Giants next week. They still sit 2.5 games up on San Francisco in the National League West. Kershaw is once again on fire. In his last 3 starts he has an ERA of 0.78. He’s allowed 12 home runs this year as compared to the 9 her surrendered all of last year, but he’s only allowed one in his last 10 starts.

Tough to go against Clayton at home against a Cubs team who struggles to hit. Chicago will find it difficult to hit it out of Dodger Stadium. It’s one of the best pitcher’s parks in Baseball.